BCCR Research Grants

Of all the things I learned this week, two of them stand out. One is that there are some amazingly talented people among us. Two is that I am lucky to meet some of them.

I was invited to attend a press conference held by the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester (BCCR). Each year, they award grants to local scientists who are researching breast cancer cures. The press conference was to announce and introduce this year’s recipients of those grants and it was held at the offices of BCCR. The reason I was invited to attend was because of Coleen and the Executive Director of BCCR, Holly Anderson.

When Coleen and I talked about arrangements during the weeks that preceded her death, one of the decisions she made was about donations. She told me that she didn’t want flowers at her services but donations made for metastatic breast cancer research. When I asked her what organization would do that, she answered very succinctly, “I don’t know, find one.” I eventually contacted Holly because Coleen always spoke highly of her and her organization. I thought Holly could advise me of an organization that was specific to research and she said, “You know, Rob, we do that here. We can make sure all donations get spent on research.” She made the decision for me and memorial donations in Coleen’s name were sent to BCCR and directed to research. Exactly as Coleen wanted it. When they scheduled their awards ceremony, Holly was thoughtful enough to invite me to attend so I could witness the process of those donations turned into research.

I brought my daughter Lindsay with me for the 70 mile trip to Rochester. I had never been to the BCCR offices but Lindsay was there once for a program that Coleen brought her to. And Coleen was there many times. It was a regular stop for her in her role as Patient Services Director for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society and it was there that she became close friends with Holly. Lindsay and I arrived 30 minutes early and had a chance to meet some of the BCCR staff and also the grants recipients. Holly talked to us and showed us her office and the chair Coleen always sat in when she visited.

I had never been to any kind of press conference and was excited about this one. There were crews from two local television stations filming it and members of the press. It started promptly and Holly spoke first about what was about to happen and some of the goals of the organization. She said the number one goal was to lock the doors and go out of business because that would mean that their job was done. That a cure for breast cancer had been discovered and they could finally move from that challenge to another. She was eloquent. After the two $50,000 awards were made, each doctor had a few minutes to explain the project they would use the money on. Dr. Helen McMurray from the University of Rochester spoke of her intention of researching specific cells to unlock the secrets of metastasis. That was the exact target that Coleen wanted to hit.

I can not explain the range of emotion I felt as I sat and watched the ceremony. It was powerful to be present while Coleen’s donation dollars were transferred to such capable and passionate scientists so they can continue the research Coleen sought. So they can make more progress toward a cure. I was honored to be a witness to that. Of course, I was also terribly saddened, and remain so, by the demoralizing event that initiated those donations. I might call it bittersweet if that word was strong enough. It is not, though. The ultimate reward of being in attendance for such an uplifting occasion won the day for me and more than enabled me to overcome that sadness.

The atmosphere in the offices of BCCR is filled with enthusiasm and passion. The facility itself is beautiful and the staff of BCCR is made of extremely talented and knowledgeable people. Lindsay and I spent quite a bit of time talking with various staff and board members of BCCR and came away inspired by their accomplishments as well as their ambitions. I have always thought that once talent meets passion, remarkable things can get done. That is what is happening at the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester. It is a very impressive organization.

When we first met with Holly that day, she noticed the flower lapel pin I was wearing and commented on it. I wasn’t sure if she knew the significance of it so I briefly explained that it was a drawing Coleen had done and I had it made into lapel pins. Later, as we were leaving, I asked her if I could give her one of the pins and she happily accepted it. Not only did she accept it, but she put it on. Holly had an award of her own to accept that day given by the Rochester Business Journal. I saw a photo of Holly receiving her award on Facebook that evening. In it, she was still wearing her flower pin.

Can one woman’s death make a difference? Can a roomful of talent, passion, knowledge and desire make a difference? Or a bunch of people walking around with a cute little flower on their shirt? I don’t know. I’m just proud to be somewhere close to it all and trying to add what I can.

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